On Saturday, July 26 we decided to check out the 20th anniversary of the Pirates Haven pig roast in Robinsons. Usually when we explore the Western region of the province we head north to Gros Morne National Park and the Northern Peninsula, so this was an opportunity to travel south and check out some places we had not visited before. First off we dropped in to see the Stephenville Regional Museum of Art and History which has been gradually developing its collection over the past 3 years. We met the manager Linda Collier and she showed us around the various displays.

We recently attended “The Country Show” at the Stephenville Theatre Festival and we give this show "two thumbs up" for its variety and quality of the performance. There was a large band and many singers and the cast covered lots of country favourites from Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Patsy Cline and Shania Twain. The musical director is well known Newfoundland performer, Pamela Morgan and Dave Panting keeps the music flowing on stage. The cast performed 24 songs in all and started off strongly with a toe tapping version of “Jambalaya”.

Stage West Theatre Festival (SWTF) is celebrating its 6th year and offers residents and visitors to Corner Brook more great entertainment for an evening out. One of their five evening shows runs almost every night from July 2 to August 1 at either the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre or the Royal Canadian Legion. All shows start at 8:00 pm and you can pay $17 per show or buy a season pass for just $65. So far we have seen the first three shows. The Artistic Directors Mike Payne, Stephen Perchard and Jordan Stringer must be very happy with the great turnouts for these events and the audience’s enthusiastic response.

In our quest to see some new sites in Central Newfoundland we headed to Botwood at the base of the Bay of Exploits. We were planning on heading to Leading Tickles to see icebergs and to try some of the hiking trails in this area. We left Corner Brook about 9:00 am on July 1 and in Grand Falls- Windsor we stopped to visit the Mary March Provincial Museum (www.therooms.ca/mmpm) and the Salmonid Interpretation Centre. We were very impressed with the Museum and it not only provided information about the human and geological history of the area but also had 3 excellent traveling exhibits that will be there until October 5.

Have you ever felt the rush before boarding a ship for an adventure into Canada’s North?

The Northern Ranger ferry service links the small, remote communities of Nunatsiavut during the summer months with a 5-day return trip: Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Nain. This return trip affords you a rare opportunity to learn the history and culture of this region and the Labrador Inuit lifestyle. During each community visit you will witness how vibrant traditions and culture resonate within modern communities; all under the backdrop of a wild and majestic sub-arctic Labrador environment that profoundly contrasts with the island of Newfoundland.

The theatre doors open and the crowd of people waiting in the small lobby are allowed to take their seats. There is a sense of anticipation as audience members whisper to one another. The only things on stage are six wooden chairs stacked to resemble a solitary tree. Perhaps each chair represents a different branch of Al Pittman’s work that, when stacked together, create one solid play, With Cruel Times in Between.

Growing up in Newfoundland and Labrador, one of the fondest memories as a child was heading out to my Grandmother’s house for Jiggs’ Dinner. For those of you who don’t know, Jiggs’ Dinner – also known as “boiled” or “Sunday” dinner – is a traditional meal that consists of salt beef, turnip, cabbage, potato, carrot, pease pudding, and more often than not, some kind of dessert. Our Jiggs’ Dinner, on both sides of the family, included a turkey.

Cruise Nunatsiavut in Labrador to experience unique aboriginal culture and breathtaking Arctic scenery. Find yourself in the adventures and mysteries of the Labrador Inuit as you cruise through their homeland.

The Northern Ranger ferry service links the small, remote communities of Nunatsiavut during the summer months with a 5-day return trip: Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Nain. Passengers have a choice of accommodations ranging from a dormitory bunk to a deluxe cabin with ensuite.

The return trip affords you a rare opportunity to learn the history and culture of this region and the Labrador Inuit lifstyle. During each community visit you will witness how vibrant traditions and culture resonate within modern communities; all under the backdrop of a wild and majestic sub-arctic Labrador environment that profoundly contrasts with the island of Newfoundland.

The Anchor Room Bar is packed with people, every seat is taken. The waitress’ twist and weave around tables like a snake through the jungle grass, serving cocktails to the patrons who wait with excited anticipation. Being told the show is a “must see” while visiting Gros Morne, National Park they are ready to experience it for themselves. The band members of Anchors Aweigh gather together behind the crowd to do their ritual shot before taking to the stage. They smile at each other, this is what they love to do. The smiles grow bigger as they walk on stage and pick up their instruments, the crowd can’t help but smile too. You can see their passion for music as they play. The audience can feel it.

Explore the past, experience the beauty. Hiding between the great Tablelands and the vast Atlantic Ocean sits quiet Trout River. While proclaiming itself to be Newfoundland’s best kept vacation secret, a more accurate account would be Canada’s best kept secret. This destination should be on every travellers list when exploring Newfoundland. Situated 86km from Deer Lake International Airport, in the glorious Gros Morne National Park, it is a rare and beautiful find nestled within another rare and beautiful find.

Driving to and fro to Twillingate, you pass by Prime Berth Twillingate Fishery & Heritage Centre. They are hard to miss as there is a whale skeleton beside their fishing stage just as you cross the causeway onto Twillingate Island.

A bus dropped us off at the side of the road where a small flag, set beside a narrow path that led into the forest, indicated the start of the trail. It was not a simple walking trail, there were some difficult parts, but it was beautiful. Halfway along the trail there was a lookout. I felt as though I was standing on top of the forest. All I could see were the tops of trees stretching out toward the open ocean in the distance. As I stood there catching my breath and taking in the beauty, I could almost have believed I was the only person on the planet....this is the chef hike at The Gathering Festival in Burlington Newfoundland

People often ask me, "what are the must-dos in Newfoundland & Labrador?". In a province as vast and unique as this, you can imagine that it is not an easy question to answer. However, after a little bit of thought and deliberation, I have put together my own Top 10 list of the things every traveller should do on their vacation to Newfoundland & Labrador.

Gros Morne is an outdoor mecca for visitors with over 100km of trails, breathtaking vistas and world class experiences; however what adventures await when Mother Nature decides not to cooperate? Here are our choice picks for rainy day adventures throughout the park.

We just returned from comedian Shaun Majumder’s “The Gathering” in Burlington on the Baie Verte, Peninsula and we can’t say enough good things about the event. This was the second year of “The Gathering” which is designed to feature fire, food and music and to raise money to help build BSM Manor.